looking at buying an atom. any advice?
Discussion
that's about it really. i think i want an atom for 70% trakc use and 30% road use. i'm new to the track scene so would defintely conisder myself an amateur. looking through the atom owners club website and the arielmotor site it seems that the 245bhp is plenty enough of a car. also i have received the brochure with the spec list...
i can see all the positives to owning one but what i'm more interested in is the negatives.
also as an amateur tracker, is the standard factory set up going to dissapoint for the track, and if so how easy is it to set up for a more entertaining drive for the track to then set back for road handling. to give you some idea my mechanical ability stretches to knowing which end to hold a screwdriver.
any pointers would be much apprecitated.
finally i am up in bedford on saturday, and i notice a few atoms are going to be there. if it's anyone on this site, would they mind taking me for a (not literal) spin?
thanks
rob
i can see all the positives to owning one but what i'm more interested in is the negatives.
also as an amateur tracker, is the standard factory set up going to dissapoint for the track, and if so how easy is it to set up for a more entertaining drive for the track to then set back for road handling. to give you some idea my mechanical ability stretches to knowing which end to hold a screwdriver.
any pointers would be much apprecitated.
finally i am up in bedford on saturday, and i notice a few atoms are going to be there. if it's anyone on this site, would they mind taking me for a (not literal) spin?
thanks
rob
Spin? We don't do that here!
I'll be there and hope to have time to take a few people out for a few laps (last week at Brands I didn't get the car to myself all day!).
The 245 is MORE than enough in my view! Although having driven James' 300 (OK, OK, James... 320), that is an absolute hoot!
It's quite easy to change the suspension with the adjustables (just fingers or screwdriver required) so you can have it hardish on the road and stiff as a board on track. Brakes are the big issue. With a 245, I heartily recommend the Alcons, which take a bit of warming up and can be slightly 'alarming' on the first touch of them on the road when they're cold. Up to temperature and they're excellent, though. I guess ceramics are an option - not a factory one, but a bloody expensive one!
I'd also suggest removeable pads on the seats, as they can be a little 'unforgiving' - even if you're well-padded like some of us.
Whatever, you'll like it MUCH more than your old Elise! Even if it makes an Elise look positively practical!
PS. Like the paint on your porker!
I'll be there and hope to have time to take a few people out for a few laps (last week at Brands I didn't get the car to myself all day!).
The 245 is MORE than enough in my view! Although having driven James' 300 (OK, OK, James... 320), that is an absolute hoot!
It's quite easy to change the suspension with the adjustables (just fingers or screwdriver required) so you can have it hardish on the road and stiff as a board on track. Brakes are the big issue. With a 245, I heartily recommend the Alcons, which take a bit of warming up and can be slightly 'alarming' on the first touch of them on the road when they're cold. Up to temperature and they're excellent, though. I guess ceramics are an option - not a factory one, but a bloody expensive one!
I'd also suggest removeable pads on the seats, as they can be a little 'unforgiving' - even if you're well-padded like some of us.
Whatever, you'll like it MUCH more than your old Elise! Even if it makes an Elise look positively practical!
PS. Like the paint on your porker!
911nutter said:
looking through the atom owners club website and the arielmotor site it seems that the 245bhp is plenty enough of a car.
Yeah, the 245 is plenty to start with and blindingly quick - plus you'll have the option of an upgrade later down the road.
911nutter said:
i can see all the positives to owning one but what i'm more interested in is the negatives.
Negatives...cleaning them can be a pain when they get really mucky and you'll be forever checking the weather to see if you can get a blast in without hitting any rain.
They're actually much more practical on the road than you'd imagine - the biggest problem is finding roads that suit them. Due to their low weight and sprung/unsprung ratio you'll pretty much need full soft all round on the road which makes it tend to understeer a little (except when you boot the power in of course!) Bumpy, narrow roads definitely aren't the Atom's forte and can be a little unnerving to be honest. But nicely tarmac'd, smooth roads with decent visibility are a blast.
Only other negatives are that having to wear a helmet, ear plugs and 4 point harness is a bit of a pain when you simply want to go for a quick blast - but they're really necessary and not that much hassle once you get used to them. Shoggles make a decent alternative to a helmet for quick blasts if you don't mind a fly smacked forhead.
911nutter said:
also as an amateur tracker, is the standard factory set up going to dissapoint for the track, and if so how easy is it to set up for a more entertaining drive for the track to then set back for road handling.
A little fiddly (strong fingers required), but very easy. Soft on the road, stiff on the track. Whatever settings you have, the handling won't disappoint you.
911nutter said:
finally i am up in bedford on saturday, and i notice a few atoms are going to be there. if it's anyone on this site, would they mind taking me for a (not literal) spin?
No probs, I'll be there and will be happy to take you out for a ride (been a few years since I've been to Bedford as a driver though).
Mine is a red 2005 245 with the spec that you'll probably be interested in getting yourself.
Cheers, Ross.
>> Edited by ross.mcw on Monday 4th July 12:33
Rob,
I've only had my car since January and I was a complete novice to this type of car and trackdays. I've now done 5500 miles and 7 trakcdays including a round trip to Spa and a round trip of 1000 miles which included two trackdays back to back one at Cadwell and the next day at Llandow near Bridgend.
I just love driving them. Get the gear helmet wet weather stuff, etc. I drive in all types of weather. MAKE SURE YOU GET A SOCKET FITTED, to run heated gloves/ suite and sat' nav' etc from.
The ride is a little hard on normal roads, but for me that's half the fun getting throwen about every time you hit a pot hole or sunken drain.
Tell us where you live as someone near by will give you a drive out to get a feel for normal roads.
I've only had my car since January and I was a complete novice to this type of car and trackdays. I've now done 5500 miles and 7 trakcdays including a round trip to Spa and a round trip of 1000 miles which included two trackdays back to back one at Cadwell and the next day at Llandow near Bridgend.
I just love driving them. Get the gear helmet wet weather stuff, etc. I drive in all types of weather. MAKE SURE YOU GET A SOCKET FITTED, to run heated gloves/ suite and sat' nav' etc from.
The ride is a little hard on normal roads, but for me that's half the fun getting throwen about every time you hit a pot hole or sunken drain.
Tell us where you live as someone near by will give you a drive out to get a feel for normal roads.
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